education
'Always cracking jokes': questions raised over Jason Arday’s claim he was non-verbal as a child
Fellow pupils at his primary school have challenged Cambridge academic’s story, though others support it
TL;DR
- Jason Arday, Cambridge's youngest black professor, faces questions about his claim of being non-verbal until age 11.
- Former schoolmates provide conflicting accounts: some remember him speaking frequently in primary school, while others recall him being silent until secondary school.
- Arday's memoir details his struggle with speech therapy and a miraculous first word just before his 12th birthday.
- Statements from other friends and a parent support Arday's claim of being non-verbal and receiving additional educational support.
- The controversy follows Arday's resignation from Cambridge amid accusations of plagiarism and questions about various claims regarding his past achievements.
- Arday claims to have faced threats, including a severed pig's head being delivered to his parents' home, though no evidence supports this.
- His memoir is still set for UK publication despite the ongoing scrutiny.